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The Thickened Liquid Challenge - #ThickenedLiquidChallenge

Our hospice and palliative care team decided this weekend to do the "Thickened Liquid Challenge.” This is a simple challenge that is mainly focused on putting ourselves in the shoes of our patients who are prescribed thickened liquids (or perhaps I should say drink from their cups).

The rules are simple:

12 Hour Challenge: All fluids must be thickened to “honey consistency” using a beverage thickener for a 12 hour contiguous period. Food does not have to be thickened.

It is a chronic problem that medical staff wrinkle their noses at the very food and beverages they serve their patients. If we have an aversion to this treatment and if there is minimal evidence it will prevent pneumonia we should be considering alternatives. Why not try naturally thicker beverages. Beverages like chocolate milk, buttermilk, tomato juice, egg nog, smoothies, and creamed soups which are socially acceptable and enjoyable to consume. #thickenedliquidchallenge

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